Manicurist, The (TAGS Episode)
Contents
Episode Info
The Manicurist
- S2.E16
- Filmed: 48
- Aired: 48
- Original Air Date: 1962/01/22
- Writer(s): Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart
- Director: Bob Sweeney
Plot Summary
Shapely young Ellen Brown pops into Mayberry in search of a friendly town where she can make a living as a manicurist. When she lays claim to a corner of Floyd's Barbershop, the men of Mayberry aren't quite sure how to act. It isn't long before they come around to liking the whole idea, and it's the wives who become less than enthusiastic.
Summary
A pretty, young manicurist named Ellen Brown arrives in Mayberry looking for a friendly town in which to make a living. She talks her way into setting up a small manicure station in Floyd’s Barber Shop, working on commission. At first the men of Mayberry are uneasy and embarrassed by the idea of having manicures — they worry about how it will look and what the town will say — but curiosity (and the novelty of it) soon overcomes them and they begin to come to Floyd’s in surprising numbers for Ellen’s services.
The sudden influx of male customers delights Floyd, but it raises the suspicions and jealousy of the men’s wives and girlfriends, who begin to resent the attention their husbands are giving Ellen. Rumors and jealous talk start to spread around town, making the situation awkward for everyone. Andy becomes aware of the brewing trouble and talks with Ellen to learn her situation: she has left a big city and a boyfriend (named Pierre in some accounts) to see if she can find a friendlier place to work.
Realizing her presence is causing friction between husbands and wives in Mayberry because everyone is canceling their appointments with Ellen, Floyd asks Andy to explain to Ellen that Mayberry is a friendly town. In his attempt to reassure her, Ellen mistakenly believes Andy is proposing marriage. While flattered, she gently tells Andy she cannot accept. She explains that she has spoken by phone with her boyfriend, they’ve worked things out, and he is on his way to pick her up.
Ellen prepares to leave Mayberry and kisses both Andy and Barney on the jaw as she exits the courthouse. The two men watch her walk away, and Andy wryly remarks to Barney that he’s glad they live in such a friendly town.
Odd Facts Known by Few
- This is the only episode where Cheerio Meredith's character is referred to as "Emma Watson" instead of "Emma Brand".
- This episode marks the last physical appearance of Emma. She is mentioned by name in only on two more episodes; The Bookie Barber and Andy on Trial. Sadly, she died on Christmas Day, in 1964 almost two years after the airing of this episode.
- Actress Barbara Eden appeared in an episode of "I Love Lucy" entitled "The Country Club Dance" as "Diana Jordan", as well as and most famously starring as the title character of 130 episodes of "I Dream Of Jeanie".
- Barbara Eden’s guest performance (three years before she starred in I Dream of Jeannie) is often cited as one of the show’s standout guest appearances.
- This episode marked Dick Elliott's final appearance as Mayor Pike. The actor died on December 22, 1961, exactly one month prior to this airing.
- This is the fifth episode of this season of which the guest star went on to star in their own series: Buddy Ebsen ("Opie's Hobo Friend") starred in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) and Barnaby Jones (1973); Edgar Buchanan ("Aunt Bee's Brief Encounter") starred in Petticoat Junction (1963); Alan Hale, Jr ("The Farmer Takes A Wife") starred in Gilligan's Island (1964); Bill Bixby ("Bailey's Bad Boy") starred in My Favorite Martian (1963), The Courtship Of Eddie's Father (1969) and The Incredible Hulk (1977) and Barbara Eden (this episode, "The Manicurist") starred in I Dream Of Jeannie (1965) and Harper Valley PTA (1981).
- A year later, Barbara Eden and Howard McNear appeared in Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961)
- At the very beginning of this episode, a couple walks past the barber shop and the man glances in the window. This exact scene would be used again at the very beginning of the following episode, "The Jinx."
- While the men in the barber shop are gawking at Ellen Brown, she's seen dabbing nail polish onto her leg. This is a common "do it yourself" trick to stop runs from forming in stockings/pantyhose.
- This episode marks the first time in the series that Opie does not make an appearance. Out of the 249 total episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, Opie (Ron Howard) was absent for 45 of them. IMDb states that Ron was in 243 episodes but we believe that is related to review of the episode end credits only and does not reflect his actual appearances. (Please help us confirm this information.)
Quotes
Andy: Kind of like a calendar come to life.
--
Sheriff Andy Taylor: "Nature's been good to you. I mean real, real, real good. I can't remember when I've seen nature spend as much time on one person."
--
Barney: Hows the hardware business Sam?
Sam: Slowest week I had in 3 years. Thinking about having a sale next week to boost business.
Barney: Oh yea? What are you gonna put on sale?
Sam: LEGS
Barney: That's always a good household item.
--
Sheriff Andy Taylor: It won't take her long to find out there's no work for her. I'll give her twenty-four hours. But while she's here she sure is pretty to look at, ain't she? Yeah? Kinda like a calendar come to life.
--
++ Andy has gotten a manicure from Ellen Brown and turns to Barney ++
Sheriff Andy Taylor: You're next.
Barney Fife: What?
Sheriff Andy Taylor: [planting Barney on the chair] You just plant yourself down there.
Barney Fife: [standing up] But, Andy!
Sheriff Andy Taylor: You'll enjoy it!
--
++A nervous Barney is getting a manicure. Ellen, the manicurist, is being very patient with him++
Ellen Brown: [Barney pulls his hand away] I won't hurt you! Honest!
[Ellen swipes with her nail file. Barney reacts and backs away, clutching his right fingers]
Barney Fife: [scared] Ah-hah!
Ellen Brown: [concerned] What's the matter?
Barney Fife: [sick with fear] Makes my skin crawl.
Ellen Brown: I'll be very careful.
Barney Fife: [lifts his right index finger] Be extra careful with that one. That's my trigger finger. Damage that and I might as well quit the business!
More Information
Character List
- Andy Griffith - Andy Taylor
- Don Knotts - Barney Fife
- Howard McNear - Floyd Lawson
- Dick Elliott - Mayor Pike
- Sherwood Keith - Sam
- Cheerio Meredith - Emma Watson
- Frank Warren - Art
- Bob McQuain - manicure customer
- Barbara Eden - Ellen Brown
